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European Spine Journal - Depression, anxiety, catastrophising, and fear-avoidance beliefs are key "yellow flags" (YFs) that predict a poor outcome in back patients. Most surgeons...     

Biochemical and Metabolical Pathways Associated with Microbiota-Derived Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Implications: A Narrative Review

Knowledge regarding the influence of the microbial community in cancer promotion or protection has expanded even more through the study of bacterial metabolic products and how they can modulate cancer risk, which represents an extremely challenging approach for the relationship between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC). This review discusses research progress on the effect of bacterial dysbiosis from a metabolic point of view, particularly on the biochemical mechanisms of butyrate, one of the main short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in CRC. Increased daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) significantly increases the density of bacteria that are known to produce butyrate. Omega-3 PUFAs have been proposed as a treatment to prevent gut microbiota dysregulation and lower the risk or progression of CRC.     

Risk factors for surgical complications after central pancreatectomy

Background/Aims: Central pancreatectomy is a pancreas- sparing alternative to standard pancreatic resections in selected cases. Although associated with high morbidity, the risk factors for surgical complications of this procedure are not yet defined. Methodology: The clinicopathological and perioperative data of 24 patients who underwent central pancreatectomies (2002-2010) were correlated with surgical complications. Results: The overall morbidity rate was 54% (pancreatic fistula, 40%). In a univariate analysis, age over 40 years, body mass index ≥30kg/m2, smoking and American Society of Anesthesiologists III scores were significantly correlated with increased morbidity. In a multivariate analysis, a significant correlation with the development of complications was found for body mass index ≥30kg/m2 and age over 40 years. Conclusions: Certain patient-related factors (older age, obesity and smoking) appear to have a negative impact on early postoperative outcome after central pancreatectomy. For patients with these factors, an alternative distal pancreatectomy should be considered. Central pancreatectomy should be tailored not only to the pathology but also to the patient profile.     

Pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency alters proliferation and neurogenesis in both neurogenic and vulnerable areas of the rat brain

Thiamine deficiency (TD) leads to Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE), in which focal histological lesions occur in periventricular areas of the brain. Recently, impaired neurogenesis has been reported in the hippocampus during the dietary form of TD, and in pyrithiamine-induced TD (PTD), a well-characterized model of WE. To further characterize the consequences of PTD on neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) activity, we have examined the effect of this treatment in the rat on both the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the rostral lateral ventricle and subgranular layer (SGL) of the hippocampus, and in the thalamus and inferior colliculus, two vulnerable brain regions in this disorder. In both the SVZ and SGL, PTD led to a decrease in the numbers of bromodeoxyuridine-stained cells, indicating that proliferation of NSPCs destined for neurogenesis in these areas was reduced. Doublecortin (DCX) immunostaining in the SGL was decreased, indicating a reduction in neuroblast formation, consistent with impaired NSPC activity. DCX labeling was not apparent in focal areas of vulnerability. In the thalamus, proliferation of cells was absent while in the inferior colliculus, numerous actively dividing cells were apparent, indicative of a differential response between these two brain regions. Exposure of cultured neurospheres to PTD resulted in decreased proliferation of NSPCs, consistent with our in vivo findings. Together, these results indicate that PTD considerably affects cell proliferation and neurogenesis activity in both neurogenic areas and parts of the brain known to display structural and functional vulnerability, confirming and extending recent findings on the effects of TD on neurogenesis. Future use of NSPCs in vitro may allow a closer and more detailed examination of the mechanism(s) underlying inhibition of these cells during TD.     

Characterization of endoglin and Ki-67 expression in endothelial cells from benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix

Activation of endothelial cells is often associated with the cellular proliferation in vitro . CD105 is a more specific marker of activated endothelial cells from tumor vessels and Ki-67 is used to assess the proliferation status of both tumor and endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of endothelial cells using CD105 and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Double stain for CD105/Ki-67 in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix showed that these two markers had divergent expression on endothelial cells from associated tumor blood vessels dependent on lesion type and proliferation status of tumor cells. Absence of CD105/Ki-67 coexpression in endothelial cells was correlated with histopathology of the uterine cervix lesions and tumor proliferative status. The present findings suggest that CD105 expression is an early event, specific for premalignant lesions of the uterine cervix, while endothelial proliferation assessed on Ki-67 combined with the lack of CD105 expression is often associated with invasive cervical carcinoma.     

An experience sampling study of associations between affect and alcohol use and problems among college students

OBJECTIVE: This study used experienced sampling methodology to examine the relationship between affective functioning and alcohol consumption and problems. METHOD: Fifty-six college students provided baseline data on measures of impulsivity and distress tolerance and provided experience sampling data for 2 weeks on measures of negative affect, positive affect, and alcohol consumption and problems. Women made up 54% of the sample. The sample ranged in age from 21 to 23 (mean [SD] = 21.50 [0.57]); 98% were white and 2% were Asian. RESULTS: As predicted, higher levels of both positive and negative affect during the day were associated with higher rates of consumption that night. In contrast, negative, but not positive, affect was associated with alcohol-related problems after controlling for alcohol consumption. Impulsivity was associated with higher consumption and problems and moderated the relationships between negative affect and problems and also between alcohol consumption and problems. Low distress tolerance was associated with a decreased association between positive affectivity and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicated and extended previous research on affective models of alcohol use and problems through the use of experience sampling methodology. The results demonstrated associations between affective variables and alcohol consumption and problems measured through near real-time assessment. The results suggest a functional association between alcohol consumption and problems and both within-person changes in affect and between-person differences in impulsivity and distress tolerance.     

Delayed chemokine receptor 1 blockade prolongs survival in collagen 4A3-deficient mice with Alport disease

Human Alport disease is caused by a lack of the alpha3-, 4-, or 5-chain of type IV collagen (COL4A). Affected humans and COL4A3-deficient mice develop glomerulosclerosis and progressive renal fibrosis in the presence of interstitial macrophages, but their contribution to disease progression is under debate. This question was addressed by treating COL4A3-deficient mice with BX471, an antagonist of chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) that is known to block interstitial leukocyte recruitment. Treatment with BX471 from weeks 6 to 10 of life improved survival of COL4A3-deficient mice, associated with less interstitial macrophages, apoptotic tubular epithelial cells, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and less globally sclerotic glomeruli. BX471 reduced total renal Cll5 mRNA expression by reducing the number of interstitial CCL5-positive cells in inflammatory cell infiltrates. Intravital microscopy of the cremaster muscle in male mice identified that BX471 or lack of CCR1 impaired leukocyte adhesion to activated vascular endothelium and transendothelial leukocyte migration, whereas leukocyte rolling and interstitial migration were not affected. Furthermore, in activated murine macrophages, BX471 completely blocked CCL3-induced CCL5 production. Thus, CCR1-mediated recruitment and local activation of macrophages contribute to disease progression in COL4A3-deficient mice. These data identify CCR1 as a potential therapeutic target for Alport disease or other progressive nephropathies associated with interstitial macrophage infiltrates.